News that a “dangerous” crossing will not become pedestrianised has been met with “bitter disappointment” by campaigners.

Hertfordshire County Council has rejected a third bid, in just four years, to install lights on the A405 outside Woodside Leisure Park – an area which Cllr Tim Williams describes as a “notorious speeding hotspot”.

The A405 stretch between St Albans Road and the A41 on the edge of Watford has long been a cause of concern for councillors and residents living nearby, due to fast traffic and exposed junctions where cars pull in and out in all directions.

A petition with 700 signatures was launched in 2016 and presented to the county council by Cllr Stephen Cavinder in 2017 for a lighted crossing.

Watford Observer:

This is the crossing where campaigners hoped pedestrian lights would be installed. Also pictured is the leisure park in the background.

At the moment, people must rely on the road to be clear to cross at the designated crossing.

It is a busy area with houses and a leisure park, which includes restaurants, a bowling alley, and cinema.

Parent Richard Wenham, who lives close to the A405, said: “It is very dangerous to cross here, especially with children, so I fail to understand why this is not seen as a priority. I’m dismayed by this decision.”

Cllr Williams added: “This is bitterly disappointing news. We hoped with a large petition behind us and a road safety report confirming that speeding is a serious issue meant we would be successful with this bid.

“The roundabout is dangerous to cross. We want to see serious road measures along this stretch of road.”

Campaigners have also called on speed cameras to be installed on the A405 stretch which is 50mph and 40mph in sections.

Watford Observer:

The A405 at the junction of Sheepcot Lane

It is believed this is still under consideration.

The Greenwood Drive junction is also of concern – drivers can both pull out across the 50mph stretch of the A405 as well as move across into Greenwood Drive.

A road safety report was commissioned by Kingswood Residents Association, funded by the Hertfordshire Police Commissioner, to look specifically at the Greenwood Drive junction.

Watford Observer:

The Greenwood Drive junction

The report, released last September, highlighted “accident blackspots” on this stretch and suggested the speed limits were not being obeyed by all drivers.

Some work has been undertaken on the A405 between Sheepcot Lane and Woodside Leisure Park this month, which included repainting rumble lines and some slight road realignment.

It is understood the pedestrian crossing bid was unsuccessful due to lack of funding and priorities elsewhere across the county.